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Page 39
one. Nonetheless, I must indeed go. Sir Giles is honest and strong and not stupid, but he is no leader of men. Sir Henry can lead, provided there is someone to point him in the right direction. Sir John is too young, and I am not sufficiently sure of his loyalty. Naturally, since there is no other leader, I must go to keep them to their purpose and perhaps to prevent them from some utter stupidity."
Alinor looked up at Ian again and gently withdrew her hand from his clasp. "I must thank you for reminding me about that old trouble. I would have walked unsuspecting into the king's mawwell, perhaps not, since I have heard enough of his doingsbut now I will be doubly on guard."
"You think well of me, do you not?" Ian remarked bitterly. "Where am I classed? Too stupid? Too weak? Or too disloyal to be of help?"
"But Ian," Alinor exclaimed, "how could I ask you when"
"For sweet Mary's sake, do not rub salt into my wounds!"
"No, I was not thinking of that foolish argument," Alinor assured him. "The heat being gone from my head, I would ask you to serve me for love quickly enough, but I have seen that you have some great matter in hand that is weighing on your spirit. Forgive me that I did not ask you to unburden your heart. I knew you wished to tell me, but"
"You have seen clearly enough, but not all there is to see." Ian's voice was gratingly harsh again. "Will you tell me how you offended the kingI mean, are you willing to tell me?"
"Of course I am willing, but I do not see that it will be of any use to you. However, it was thus. You know that Simon and I were wed in the Holy Land and that when we came back to England none knew of it. Simon hastened to tell the queen. I remained to make straight all that had gone awry on my lands. By a ruse I was

 
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